I accept this perfect poet award from Jingle. This is the second one I’ve recieved, and I am just as honored as I was the first time. I’d like to nominate Poettraveler.
Ceremonial Jingle Dancer
Sage smoke, rising, sinking
Tum tum tum of the drum
Sea shell necklace clinking
Reverberates a melodious hum
Pitter, patter, feet moccasin toed
Buckskin fringes swaying midair
Clitter, clatter, metal cones echo
Lone feather swinging from your hair
Tobacco pouch in hand
Amulet to promote healing
Great spirit to bless the land
More than just a feeling
Intricate footwork blazes a trail
Pattern of shedding snake
Health, again hearty and hale
Tis your interest at stake
Feet up and down on sacred grounds
Moving to mother’s heart beat
Happy and free, your soul resounds
Creator and dancer meet
I have watched Jingle dancers perform at Pow Wows. The are amazingly graceful and energetic. Simply beautiful. I can’t even begin to describe my emotional response. Within each of the imagery in this poem is a sacred meaning to the dancer.The Jingle dance is one of the ceremonial dances which is for healing. Legend is that a Jingle dancer is chosen because she has at one time been close to death and was healed thus carrying the ability to heal others. She hides a pouch of tobacco on her body or carries it in her hand as it is supposed to have healing powers. The snake shed dance pattern represents renewal.I can’t remember what the feather in her hair represents. But the cones and beads make the music. And is said they dance to their mother’s heartbeat ingrained in their soul. They always burn sage within the sacred circle of Indian dances. Sage is burned to purify and vanquish bad spirits.
your post is the most beautiful post i know today,
jingle dances, what cool dance,
my first time hearing it.
have fun!
Pingback: Thursday Poets’ Rally Week 12 (April 1-7, 2010) « Jingle
Just love the dance…so very clever…thanks!
That’s lovely! There is something so touching about someone dancing to the sound of thier mother’s heartbeat. So lovely!
-Jen
beautiful job for week 12,
you rock!
😉
But you really rock!
Your words weaved a great image here.
You’ll find mine here.
Thanks.
dear suzy,
thanks for this interesting explanation.
Congratulations for the award. A wonderful piece of poetry.
with warmest wishes,
I thought the explanation might be helpful.
That’s beautiful!
You’re so sweet.
Beautiful poem. Reading the comments I was surprised to learn Jingle wasn’t familiar with the term. I couldn’t help thinking of my friend while reading this one. Anyhoo, you make complex lines sound like they were written with ease. Awesome 🙂
I can see why you the thought of her! Jingle, jingle!!
Freaking Perfect…Wow, no pressure there. Wonderful poem.
No pressure…ha! I hadn’t thought of that because I’d written the poem before the award…good thing!
wow, this poem is a piece of art.the way you described the dancers movements is impressive.I appreciate your good use of aliteration and onomatopoeia.well done!!!!!!!
Thanks for the lovely compliment.
Very beautiful , Suzi.. very well done!
Thanks for the explanation, I have never heard of it
but there are other similar legends that I have heard of…
CONGRATULATIONS on the award!
hugs
shakira
Mine is here
Me got awards for you, come on over here Happy Wednesday! hugs with love, shakira
Oh, thanks, Sweetie.
Congrats! I think I’ve seen these dances at Pow wows years ago. Beautiful.
This was perfection..Love love it..felt as if I were there…!!!!
Thnans so much for your nice comment and for dropping by,
I just nominated you..love it..i just added it in at the end after reading all my poems…Congrats..!
WOW,You are so sweet! Thank you.
Congratulations on your award! Beautiful poem.
♥Spot
brilliant descriptions 😀 wonderfully written 😀 loved the choice of words 😀
such a beautiful poem – you had me right there in the dance!
So beautiful! You really bring it to life! Love it!
We went to a powwow a couple of years ago and saw the most amazing Apache dances! Also, the Hopi are wonderful, (but you – the public-can only see a very few dances of this mysterious tribe)
I think Pow Wows are awesome…I can only imagine the powerful feelings of being on the “inside”.
CONGRATS on receiving this award, SC!
And I agree….You are freaking PERFECT!
BEAUTIFUL poem!
And I understand the amazing power of Sage, because I’ve used it.
Have a wonderful day!
X
Ron, thanks. You are the best!
Love, love, love the poem! Congrats on your award…you’re obviously deserving! =)
Mindy
http://www.thesuburbanlife.com
You made me feel like I was right there. And a history lesson to boot!
Nice mix of image and feeling! and your use of language is cool too.
What a beautiful custom. Thanks for always sharing your thought-provoking words. And congratulations on the honor of the award.
Glad to see many familiar faces,
Happy Easter!
awesome job!
You have a spectacular way of creating images in the mind. Such a gift. Thanks you. I need someone to jingle dance in my direction today as I’m under the weather and fading fast.
Hope you feel better soon!
I’m glad you added the explanation. I didn’t know the “Jingle” in the title was an actual dance. In (Arizona?) somewhere I saw a dancer with intricate feather arm wraps and a head peace dance for most of the noon hour with the sun directly overhead: his shadow beneath him looked just like a soaring eagle.
Your poem created clear images in my mind that reminded me of this dance.
I’m glad the explanation was helpful.
We’ve taken the kids to a place here called Turtle Island where they do ceremonial dancing and then let the kids dance with them. It’s incredible.
you set my feet to dancing…nicely done!
SuziCate, you are such a talented writer. You never cease to impress me with your stories, and now you’re reeling me in with your poetry as well. Thanks for sharing this poem!
Kristen, You’re so sweet.
Thanks so much for the lesson. You’re fabulous!
Hi there!
That was some lyricaL dance 🙂 lovely, do keep writing!
Would also like to invite you to pay me a visit at my page:
http://www.assorted-platter.blogspot.com
your opinion would be invaluable!
Tx
Thanks for stopping by, will check out your blog.
That was Fab-u-lous!!!!
Pingback: Thursday Poets Rally Week 12+1 (April 8-14, 2010) « Jingle
title drew me in…glad I read!
good stuff!
I have always been interested in Native American culture. I started out posting poems on this site, and then challenged myself to a poem a day a few months ago. I didn’t think the readers here would all be interested in it, so I started a poetry blog as well. The link is at the top left side of the main page.